I’m Not Going to Leave Kate and Jon Alone
By Glinda
One of the hottest tabloid subjects right now is the seemingly crumbling-before-our-eyes marriage of Jon and Kate from TLC’s “Jon and Kate Plus 8” reality show.
For those unaware of the timeline, Jon was spotted at a nightclub with people who weren’t Kate, one of them being a woman whose car he (gasp) got into, presumably to go home. Then there were accusations of infidelity on Kate’s part with her bodyguard (why she needs a bodyguard is beyond me), all of this suspiciously timed to coincide with the season premiere of their show. Sorry, I’m just cynical like that.
I’ve mentioned before that I don’t watch television “reality” shows with kids. There is something vaguely exploitative about them, and no matter how cute the kids are, it isn’t enough to get me to tune in. Besides, I don’t need the television to witness the antics of someone else’s children, I’ve got my own adorable built-in tantrum/entertainment center right here.
And although I’ll admit I’ve never seen the show, I understand that this season Jon and Kate aren’t speaking to each other, and there are separate sessions on the therapy couch, as opposed to ones where they are usually together.
I do sympathize with marital problems, we’ve all had them in one form or another. It must be even worse to have them be so publicly discussed.
But, and there is a major but here.
If you wish not to have your faces splashed across gossip rags amid conjecture as to whether one of you is sleeping on the couch, then DON’T HAVE YOUR OWN TELEVISION SHOW. In my mind, as soon as you sign on that dotted line to receive money for cameras following your every move, you lose your right to complete privacy. You become a public figure, and for better or worse in our society right now, your every move is scrutinzed.
I keep reading comments on various blogs that admonish “the haters” and the “people who are just trying to be divisive” to LEAVE THEM ALONE. I believe even Octomom has gotten in on the Kate-bashing bandwagon.
I’m guessing that people will leave them alone when they decide to give up the rumored $70,000 an episode and focus on healing their family. Until then, they are fair game.
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:26 am
Those two will never break up: who would get custody of the reality show?
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:02 am
I used to love watching this show. It was kinda educational for me as it allowed me to see what was ahead for my daughter, as well as how not to communicate with your husband. but then all of a sudden i saw them move into this huge house and Jon getting hairplugs…and the “reality” of it was gone for me and I stopped being interested.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:58 pm
For $70,000 a show, TLC can come film me breastfeeding Paloma. I’m waiting for your call, TLC execs!
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Yep – fair game indeed.
June 4th, 2009 at 12:11 am
Public figures who are famous for something other than their marriages and who do not put their private lives on display are one thing. Jon and Kate literally would not be known to anyone if they hadn’t agreed to have their entire private lives filmed for public consumption.
Sorry, but when you decide to air your knickers in public, you can’t expect the public not to comment on the less than savory aspects of them.